Public Safety

Governor Walz activates Minnesota National Guard following cyberattack

ST. PAUL, Min. – Governor Tim Walz issued an executive order activating the Minnesota National Guard following a hack on the city of St. Paul. The order went into effect on July 29, 2025. Minnesota National Guard’s cyber protection assets were called up. The Governor’s Office says the magnitude and complexity of the cybersecurity incident have exceeded the city’s response…

Wanted Man Arrested In Greysolon Apartments After Standoff

DULUTH, Minn. — The Greysolon Apartments in downtown Duluth became the center of a standoff Monday. Duluth police said a 37-year-old man wanted for felony domestic assault barricaded himself in a bedroom of an apartment. The man was originally arrested Friday for the alleged assault. But at some point Friday, police said he fled a local hospital while in custody….

Vehicle smashes into State Patrol vehicle spinning it 75-feet

UPDATE: The vehicle that hit the trooper’s squad was a 2018 Kia Sportage. — DULUTH, Min. – A vehicle crashed into a Minnesota State Patrol vehicle on Highway 53, spinning it 75-feet from the impact site. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the crash that happened just after 11am on Monday, July 28, 2025. They’re reporting the Trooper’s…

Man With Mental Health Issues Found Naked in MN Capitol, Raising New Security Cncerns

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A naked man with apparent mental health issues was found in the Minnesota State Capitol late at night, officials said Saturday, raising questions about security after the top Democrat in the state House was killed in what authorities have called a political assassination. The discovery just six weeks after the fatal shooting of Democratic former House Speaker…

Man accused of raping juvenile then giving her “Morning After Pill” birth control

MOUNTAIN IRON, Minn. – A man is accused of raping a juvenile girl then giving her the Plan B birth control “Morning After Pill” following the rape. Eric Kye Gatewood, 22, Virginia is charged with one count of Criminal Sexual Conduct in the Third Degree. Police documents say Gatewood took a juvenile victim to run an errand. The victim then…

Sheriff’s Office looking for help in positively identifying victim found in house fire

UPDATE:  The Sheriff’s Office has made contact with next of Kin for Susan Hein.  They also have updated her age to be 67. — DULUTH, Minn. – Two people were found dead in Beatty Township the evening of July 17, 2025. Nearly a week later, the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office is asking for help in positively identifying one person…

Air Quality Alert issued for entire northern half of Minnesota

Air Quality Alert 07/23/2025 DULUTH, Minn. –  The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has expanded the current air quality alert. Nearly all of Minnesota north of St. Cloud is now in the new Red or “Unhealthy” Air Alert. The affected area includes the International Falls, Two Harbors, Hibbing, Ely and Duluth. It is in effect until Friday July 25, 2025 at 11…

Judge sentences Bryan Kohberger to life in prison for murdering four University of Idaho students in 2022

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Friends and relatives of four University of Idaho students murdered in their rental home by Bryan Kohberger delivered powerful statements of love, anguish and condemnation as his sentencing hearing began Wednesday. “This world was a better place with her in it,” Scott Laramie, the stepfather of Madison Mogen, told the court. ”Karen and I are ordinary…

Duluth Schools Asst. Supt. Arrested For DWI

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth Public Schools on Tuesday said its assistant superintendent, Anthony Bonds, was arrested overnight for drunken driving. In a statement, a district spokesperson said this is a first-time DWI offense for Bonds. Bonds started with ISD-709 in 2020. The district said it is “committed to transparency that is consistent with the law to ensure the community is…

Department of Public Safety creates tip program to help advance missing and murdered Indigenous relatives’ cases

Minn. — The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) Office will announce the official opening of the state’s Gaagige-Mikwendaagoziwag Reward Fund Tip Program. Minnesota Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) Office logo Lawmakers established the state’s Gaagige-Mikwendaagoziwag Reward Fund Account during the 22-23 legislative session. The purpose of the fund’s tip program is to bring…

St. Paul man accused of driving to Cloquet to see 13-year-old he met on Snapchat

DULUTH, Min – A flat tire on the way to Minneapolis might not lead to an arrest for every driver. But if you are hiding something in your backseat, it will. On July 10th, 2025, 25-year-old Joshua Patrick Baxter was arrested on one count of criminal sexual conduct in the first and second degree both involving a 13-year-old girl. Earlier…

Girl Dies After Being Hit By Vehicle In Burnett County

WOOD RIVER TOWNSHIP, Wis. — A 10-year-old girl has died after being struck by a vehicle in Burnett County. It happened Sunday around 11:50 a.m. in the parking lot at the Burnett Dairy Cooperative in Wood River Township, according to the Burnett County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators said the incident appears to be accidental. The victim’s identity was not immediately released….

Man killed in Normanna Township incident identified; Officers involved also identified

Law enforcement scene in Normanna near McQuade Road and E Pioneer Road ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has released more information on the deadly incident in Normanna Township on July 15, 2025. BCA says the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office identified Adam Clinton Wolf, 57, of Normanna Township as the man who…

Minnesota State Senator guilty of first-degree burglary

Nicole Mitchell BECKER COUNTY, Minn.  (AP) –  A Minnesota state senator has been convicted of burglary for breaking into her estranged stepmother’s home. The jury on Friday found Nicole Mitchell guilty of first-degree burglary and possession of burglary tools. Bodycam video shows the 51-year-old Democrat telling police when they arrested her in April 2024, “Clearly, I’m not good at this.”…

Weekend Air Quality Alerts across Northern Minnesota

DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued varied air quality alerts across Northern Minnesota for the upcoming weekend. The alerts range from Very Unhealthy to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. The alerts takes effect 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 19, 2025 and run until 9 a.m. on Monday, July 21, 2025. Heavy surface smoke from Canadian wildfires will…

Air Quality Alert issued for International Falls-area

DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an air quality alert for north central and northeast Minnesota. The alert takes effect at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 17, and runs until 1 a.m. on Friday, July 18, 2025. The affected area includes International Falls and the Tribal Nation of Red Lake. A pocket of moderate to heavy…

Final “pour” on Twin Ports Interchange project scheduled

DULUTH, Minn. – The final bridge deck “pour” for the Twin Ports Interchange project will take place Thursday evening, July 17, 2025. The newly poured deck will complete 145,260 cubic yards of concrete, alongside 4,672 tons of reinforced steel. It’s a significant milestone marking the transition into the final phase of construction. Once the new deck has cured, crews will…

Part of Munger State Trail washed out; Closed until winter

DULUTH, Minn. – A section of the Munger State Trail close to the Buffalo House restaurant is expected to be closed  until later this winter. It’s closed to replace a failing culvert. There is no designated detour available, so trail users should plan accordingly. Munger Trail Closed 07/17/25 Recent heavy rainfall has caused severe soil erosion around the culvert located at…

Air Quality Alert extended – again

DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has extended its air quality alert through Tuesday, July 15 for northern Minnesota. Areas around the Northshore and Carlton County will still be in the level considered unhealthy for everyone. That area includes Two Harbors, Duluth, and the Tribal Nations of Grand Portage and Fond du Lac. The rest of Northern…

Air Quality Alert extended

Red air quality: Unhealthy DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has extended the air quality alert for northern Minnesota. The alert now runs until 6 p.m. on Monday, July 14,m 2025. The affected area includes Duluth, International Falls, Two Harbors, Hibbing, Ely, Grand Portage, Brainerd, Hinckley, Bemidji, East Grand Forks, Moorhead, Roseau, and the Tribal Nations of Mille Lacs,…

Air Quality Alert issued for all of Minnesota

DULUTH, Minn. & ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued an air quality alert for all of Minnesota. The alert runs until 9 a.m. on Monday, July 14, 2025. The highest levels of alert are for Northern Minnesota. That includes the areas to the north of the Alexandria, St Cloud, and Hinkley. Heavy ground-level smoke from…

Scammers posing as St. Louis County Planning and Zoning Office

DULUTH, Minn. – The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office is warning about a new scam appearing in people’s in-boxes. St, Louis County Seal The Sheriff’s Office has “taken numerous calls” about scammers are sending invoices via email that claim to be from St. Louis County Planning and Zoning. The invoices demand money be wired to various locations. The Sheriff’s Office…

Video shows 2024 Duluth Drive-By Shooting; Suspect Sentenced

DULUTH, Minn. – Doorbell video shows a 2024 Lakeside/Lester Park drive-by, where a man shot at his brother’s home. In doorbell footage, obtained by FOX 21, 43-year-old Justin Lee Miller is seen rolling to a stop in his truck on Sep. 22, 2024, and firing one shot into his brother’s Lakeside/Lester Park neighborhood home. The bullet struck the bedroom of…

More than 360,000 pounds of Turkey Bacon recalled

Fully cooked turkey bacon products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm), WASHINGTON, D.C. – Kraft Heinz Foods Company is recalling approximately 367,812 pounds of fully cooked turkey bacon sold under the name Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon Original. The Food Safety and Inspection Service says the product that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm). The problem was discovered after the establishment’s…

St. Louis County waiving permit fees for wildfire rebuilding

DULUTH, Minn. – The St. Louis County Board has voted to temporarily waive the fees associated with land use and septic permits for those trying to Jenkins Creek fire in the distance. Camp House fire in the forefront. rebuild after the 2025 spring wildfires. They are waiving permit fees through January 4, 2026. It’s specifically for replacement of structures and…

Travelers may no longer be required to remove shoes before boarding a plane

  (AP) – For the first time in almost 20 years, travelers may no longer have to take off their shoes during security screenings at certain U.S. airports. The Transportation Security Administration is looking to abandon the requirement, according to media reports. If implemented, it would put an end to a security screening mandate put in place almost 20 years ago,…

Man Drowns In Tettegouche State Park

A man drowned while swimming in Tettegouche State Park. The incident happened on the 4th of July around 1 p.m. The Lake County Sheriff’s said Hari Senagana, 25, of Kansas was seen struggling at Illgen Falls before going under. The St. Louis County Rescue Squad was called in to help with the recovery efforts. The victim’s body was recovered in…

Hibbing Break-In Suspect Shot, Flees to Grand Rapids Hospital

HIBBING, Minn. – A man was shot in the stomach after he broke into a Hibbing Apartment and assaulted the two occupants, charges allege. Hibbing Police responded to an apartment on the 500 block of East 40th Street around 5:30 a.m. last Friday, Jun. 29, for a report of shots fired, according to court documents. Officers spoke with the apartment’s…

Charges for Duluth Hillside Apartment Assault and Knife Threats

DULUTH, Minn. – A woman is threatened with a knife after walking in on an active domestic assault, charges allege. Ray Charles Brantley, 65, is charged with second-degree terroristic threats and domestic assault for an incident that occurred at an apartment on the 200 block of North 2nd Ave East around 3:00 a.m. Sunday. Duluth Police responded to the apartment,…

Duluth Man Charged with Murder in Wife’s Fatal Stabbing

DULUTH, Minn. – A man charged with fatally stabbing his wife in their Duluth apartment, has a history of violent out-of-state convictions against previous partners, court records show. A Duluth man, originally from Arkansas, is charged with the stabbing death of his 49-year-old wife, Anissa Gay Cope, at their Lincoln Park apartment on Saturday evening. Corddarro Andrew Cope, 37, was…

Duluth man with Knife breaks down Neighboring Apartment’s Door – Warrant

DULUTH, Minn. – A Duluth man broke down the door to his neighbor apartment with a knife in hand, court documents allege. On Sunday, Duluth Police were called to an apartment on the 1500 block of East 1st Street for reports of a man who kicked down his neighbor’s door, according to court documents. Two male victims told police that…

Female Stabbed To Death In Duluth’s Lincoln Park

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth police are investigating after a female was stabbed to death Saturday evening. Around 7:30 p.m., officers responded to a report of a stabbing that occurred in the 600 block of North 27th Avenue West. “Upon arrival, a female was located deceased with stab wounds. Lifesaving measures were attempted but unsuccessful,” according to a news release. The…

Duluth Public Schools respond to questions on 2023 Denfeld sexual assault Case

District says 'none of our school elevators have cameras' cites 'high cost' and prioritization of 'other critical safety and instructional needs'

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Public Schools says “none of our school elevators have cameras installed” in a response to charges filed against a former student for a 2023 sexual assault inside of an elevator at Denfeld High School. A representative for Duluth Public Schools, ISD 709, released a statement on Friday, following FOX 21’s reporting of charges filed for a…

Name of man found dead in St. Louis County jail revealed

DULUTH, Minn. – The person found dead in the St. Louis County Jail early Wednesday morning has been released. The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) says Keith Jrome Taylor, 56, of Duluth was the deceased person. The BCA’s preliminary investigation did not find any obvious signs of trauma on Taylor and his cause of death is pending. The BCA is leading…

2023 Sexual Assault at Denfeld High School leads to Charges

DULUTH, Minn. – In 2023, a 15-year-old Denfeld High School student was sexually assaulted during school hours by another 18-year-old student, charges allege. A man has been charged for a 2023 sexual assault at Duluth Denfeld High School. Cameron Joseph Williams, 20, was an 18-year-old student at Denfeld when court documents allege he assaulted a then 15-year-old female student. According…

Runway Arrest at Cloquet Airport

CLOQUET, Minn. – A man faces two misdemeanor charges following his arrest on the runway of the Cloquet Carlton County Airport on Sunday. At 9:50 a.m. on Sunday, Fond du Lac Police responded to the Cloquet Carlton County Airport following multiple calls about a man wandering around private hangers. When the 911 caller first encountered the man, later identified as…

Sheriff’s Office: Convincing phone scam going around

  ITASCA COUNTY, Minn. – The Itasca County Sheriff’s Office is warning people about a very convincing phone scam. They said there a “dangerous new scam going around”. The caller is pretending to represent a collection agency. They say the caller knows your name, Social Security number, current and past addresses, and even details about vehicles you’ve owned. The Sheriff’s…

People impacted by Wildfires access multiple resources in one Place

HOYT LAKES, Minn. – People impacted by recent wildfires access multiple resources at an event organized by United Way of Northeastern Minnesota. The Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) established at the Hoyt Lakes Arena provides those impacted by recent wildfires with a single place to access governmental and non-government organizations. Hosted by the United Way of Northeastern Minnesota, organizations at the…

Man Suspected Of Shooting 2 Minnesota Lawmakers Caught

Courtesy: Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office BELLE PLAINE, Minn. (AP) — The man suspected of killing a Minnesota lawmaker and wounding another has been taken into custody, bringing an end to a massive, nearly two-day search that put the entire state on edge. Vance Boelter was arrested Sunday evening. Former Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were killed…

Gov. Walz Issues Statement On Arrest Of Murder Suspect Vance Boelter

Gov. Tim Walz released the following statement Sunday night on the arrest of Vance Boelter following the “assassination” of Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and the “attempted assassination” of Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, according to the governor’s office: “After a two-day manhunt in which hundreds of law enforcement officials left their families to run…

Shootings of MN Lawmakers turn homes into Crime Scenes

BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. – Shootings at the residences of two Minnesota lawmakers turn the homes into crime scenes. The homes of DFL Rep. Melissa Hortman in Brooklyn Park and Sen. John Hoffman in Champlin were turned into crime scenes after what authorities are calling targeted political shootings early Friday morning. Hortman, the former speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives,…

1 Dead, 2 Arrested After Overnight Shooting In Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting that took place early Sunday morning in the city’s Central Hillside neighborhood. The call for help came in around 1:30 a.m. in the 100 block of East 3rd Street. When officers arrived, they located a male with multiple gunshot wounds.  He was taken to a local hospital where…

Community Leaders Mark Gun Violence Awareness Day in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — After recent gun violence in Minnesota, city leaders and gun safety advocates gathered in Central Hillside to discuss and reinforce gun safety measures. At the event, Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert declared June 3 to be gun violence awareness day in Duluth. Gun safety advocates and local law enforcement talked about the recent tragedy that happened in Hermantown…

Hermantown PD find Two Deceased when responding to Domestic Violence Call

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Police find two people deceased inside a home, while responding to a domestic violence call. Two people were found deceased inside a home on the 4300 block of Midway Road Friday morning. A press release from the Hermantown Police Department said officers discovered the bodies when responding to the home for a “physical domestic violence call” around…

Pine City group home Employee Kidnapped Resident he claimed was his Son – Charges

  PINE CITY, Minn. – A group home employee kidnaps a resident, fleeing police at high-speeds, charges allege.  An employee at a Pine City group home for vulnerable adults is accused of kidnapping a resident Tuesday morning, according to the criminal complaint. Dean Michael Simonson, 58, of Cambridge, is charged with kidnapping, first-degree burglary, and fleeing police in a motor…

Phase 1 of Safer 6th Ave. East Reconstruction Project Now Underway

DULUTH, Minn. — One of Duluth most dangerous Avenues is starting phase one of a safer reconstruction plan. Construction crew started resurfacing along 6th Avenue East, which connects Central Hillside to Central Entrance and Mesaba Avenue. The project looks to address safety concerns for pedestrians, like students at Myers-Wilkins, as a recent study on 6th Ave. found close to 12,000…

Parts of Jenkins Creek Fire could remain hot until summer

Fire behavior has been dominated by 'creeping and smoldering ground fire'

DULUTH, Minn. & BRIMSOM, Minn. – The National Incident Management Organization (NIMO) overseeing the Jenkins Creek Fire projected some parts of the fire could stay hot until summer. Their June 6, 2025 report said fire behavior has been dominated by “creeping and smoldering ground fire.” NIMO said the fire behavior has been described as ‘burning downward.’ They reported, “crews must…